INTRODUCTION
Having once received a vision about the Son of Man, Daniel now receives a new vision by the Son of Man. In this preface to Chapter 11, we find the wonderful truth that God’s people are “greatly loved.”

DISCUSSION
1 Daniel loses all his strength, and then passes out when he sees and hears Christ. What does this say about the awesomeness of Christ in contrast to the way we typically think of him (i.e., Jesus in the Gospels)?

2. Daniel’s life was not easy, and neither are we as Christians promised an easy life. What does it mean that the way of the cross is hard?

3. Do you find yourself running to people rather than running to God when you, like Daniel, are in times of weakness? What can we do to run to God first?

4. The first thing Christ says to Daniel is not, “Bow before me!” or “Know your place, you sinner.” Rather, the first thing Christ says is, “Daniel, I love you.” How does this change the way we approach Christ?

5. The second touch from Christ gave Daniel the ability to speak. It was enough for Daniel to say, “I am weak.” This second touch was enough for Daniel to say, “I am speechless.” Enough to say, “I cannot breathe.” In the moments where Christ gives you the strength and permission to speak, what do you desire to say to him?

APPLICATION
How do we help remind one anther that we are greatly loved by the Holy God of the Universe?
PRAYER Spend some time in prayer with one another for things drawn out of the discussion.

In chapter 10 Daniel receives yet another vision of the future, but first (in verses 1-4) he gives us pause in the present. He reminds us that even though the world calls him Belteshazzar, God calls him Daniel. This causes him to fast, mourn, and yearn for a greater exile from the greater Babylon, that being sin.

DISCUSSION

1. Daniel reminds us of his worldly name, Belteshazzar, in conjunction with his heavenly name, Daniel. Where do you find your identity?

2. Why do you think our culture finds value in what we do rather than who we are?

3. After two years of laboring in God’s word, Daniel understands the visions given to him. How does this encourage us as we labor through the word?

4. Daniel mourned even though he knew the story of salvation from beginning to end. What does this say about grieving and wresting with our “pain in the present”?

5. Daniel yearned for a greater exile from sin. With that in mind, what does it mean that the story of God begins and ends in the Garden?

APPLICATION

In Christ, God has given us many names (image bearers, justified, sanctified, children of the Most High God). Yet, on a daily basis the world tries to tempt us towards placing our identity in what we do, whether that be in our successes or our failures. How does community help us to remember our true identities?

PRAYER
Spend some time in prayer with one another for things drawn out of the discussion.

INTRODUCTION
God interrupts Daniel during his prayer of confession to not only remind Daniel of God’s great love for his prophet, but to give him a greater hope beyond the restoration of the Temple.

DISCUSSION
1. Share any thoughts you had about this week’s message.

2. God found it so important to remind Daniel of his great love that he interrupted him in the midst of his confession of sin. What does this mean? Can this be applied to our lives?

3. Daniel’s immediate hope is that the Temple would be restored; however, God informs him that a period of time would transpire before this occurs. What message does this send us about God’s timing and our sanctification?

4. Ultimately, from Daniel’s perspective, his hope and prayer was for the restoration of the Temple. Yet, from God’s perspective, Daniel is given a greater hope of one who would permanently fulfill the Temple’s purpose. How can we pray with God’s perspective in mind?

5. Why is Christ’s sacrifice a greater hope than the Temple sacrifices?

APPLICATION
Daniel was a man “greatly loved” by God. What does it mean to be “greatly loved” by God? What are evidences in your life that demonstrate God’s great love for you? For his church? For his creation?

PRAYER
Spend some time in prayer with one another for things drawn out of the discussion.